Astrology
I was recently reading a complete translation of Alf laylah wa laylah or The Thousand and One Nights, also known as the Arabian Nights. There are many variants, but this is basically a medieval Arabic text.
I came across this interesting discussion of talismans. In this story, "the Wisdom beneath the Severed Heads" a young man is being tested on his knowledge.
"You have escaped death a second time, young man" said the princess, "Now tell me to what [do] talismans own their virtue?"
The young man answered from his horse: "O, princess, they owe their sublime virtues and miraculous effects to the letters which compose them; for there is no letter in the language which is not governed by a spirit, ray or emanation of the virtue of Allah. The spirits of the intellect communicate with those of the soul and the those of the soul with those of the senses. Letters form words and words form sentences; and the sentences written on talismans are nothing but a collection of spirits which, though they may astonish the ordinary man, do not trouble the wise; for the wise know the power of words and are aware that words govern the whole world. Whether they are written or spoken, words can destroy kings and ruin empires. "
Mathers translation, Vol IV, page 85.
More on Al-Biruni & Islamic Astrology.
- Lilly, Haunted Houses And Talismans
Personally, I've never been asked about haunted houses, but the famous 17th century English astrologer William Lilly was and he provides a very interesting explanation, And whereas I mention these words (perhaps the house was unluckie) some may cavill...
- Astral High Magic: De Imaginibus Of Thabit Ibn Qurra
I am very pleased to announce the launch of the newest book from Renaissance Astrology, Astral High Magic: De Imaginibus of Thabit Ibn Qurra. Here is a link for MORE INFO "What's this Chris?" "Don't you already have a translation of De Imaginibus?"...
- Wearing Or Hiding Astrological Talismans?
I had a recent question asking whether you could openly wear astrological talismans or should hide them. If there is any mention of this issue at all in Picatrix it does tend toward hiding talismans. Picatrix Bk I, ch 5, Greer & Warnock trans, page 42,...
- Wearing Multiple Talismans?
I had a poster ask me about using or wearing multiple talismans. A very good question and one that comes up frequently. We don't have any guidance in our traditional sources on astrological talismans with regard to the interaction of multiple talismans....
- Talismans And The Guardian Angel/daimon
I had an interesting question recently on my discussion group Spiritus Mundi regarding the use of astrological talismans and your guardian angel/daimon. The 4th Century Neoplatonic philosopher Iamblichus says, "...the invocation of daemons is made in...
Astrology
Talismans in the Arabian Nights
I was recently reading a complete translation of Alf laylah wa laylah or The Thousand and One Nights, also known as the Arabian Nights. There are many variants, but this is basically a medieval Arabic text.
I came across this interesting discussion of talismans. In this story, "the Wisdom beneath the Severed Heads" a young man is being tested on his knowledge.
"You have escaped death a second time, young man" said the princess, "Now tell me to what [do] talismans own their virtue?"
The young man answered from his horse: "O, princess, they owe their sublime virtues and miraculous effects to the letters which compose them; for there is no letter in the language which is not governed by a spirit, ray or emanation of the virtue of Allah. The spirits of the intellect communicate with those of the soul and the those of the soul with those of the senses. Letters form words and words form sentences; and the sentences written on talismans are nothing but a collection of spirits which, though they may astonish the ordinary man, do not trouble the wise; for the wise know the power of words and are aware that words govern the whole world. Whether they are written or spoken, words can destroy kings and ruin empires. "
Mathers translation, Vol IV, page 85.
More on Al-Biruni & Islamic Astrology.
- Lilly, Haunted Houses And Talismans
Personally, I've never been asked about haunted houses, but the famous 17th century English astrologer William Lilly was and he provides a very interesting explanation, And whereas I mention these words (perhaps the house was unluckie) some may cavill...
- Astral High Magic: De Imaginibus Of Thabit Ibn Qurra
I am very pleased to announce the launch of the newest book from Renaissance Astrology, Astral High Magic: De Imaginibus of Thabit Ibn Qurra. Here is a link for MORE INFO "What's this Chris?" "Don't you already have a translation of De Imaginibus?"...
- Wearing Or Hiding Astrological Talismans?
I had a recent question asking whether you could openly wear astrological talismans or should hide them. If there is any mention of this issue at all in Picatrix it does tend toward hiding talismans. Picatrix Bk I, ch 5, Greer & Warnock trans, page 42,...
- Wearing Multiple Talismans?
I had a poster ask me about using or wearing multiple talismans. A very good question and one that comes up frequently. We don't have any guidance in our traditional sources on astrological talismans with regard to the interaction of multiple talismans....
- Talismans And The Guardian Angel/daimon
I had an interesting question recently on my discussion group Spiritus Mundi regarding the use of astrological talismans and your guardian angel/daimon. The 4th Century Neoplatonic philosopher Iamblichus says, "...the invocation of daemons is made in...